The Army Reserve Installation Management Directorate (ARIMD) and the United States Army Reserve Command (USARC) have identified a number of Army Reserve Centers (ARCs) that are no longer needed to support the Army’s mission and are being transferred or disposed of for beneficial reuse. In this process, it is imperative to assess the environmental condition of each property in accordance with federal requirements, and STAR has been supporting the prime contractor SIA Solutions (now Salas O’Brien) to meet these requirements since 2019.

STARGES role involves preparing Environmental Condition of Property (ECP) reports and finding of Suitability to Transfer (FOST), conducting limited Phase II Site Investigations, and managing subcontractors who are performing various surveys, such as asbestos, metal-lead, radiological, cultural resources, and recordation studies, at over 30 ARCs. The results of these studies will provide valuable information to help determine the condition of each property and ensure that they are suitable for beneficial reuse.

Our team conducted five Phase II Site Investigations at the ARCs based on the Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) identified in the ECP report. These conditions were related to the storage and use of petroleum and hazardous materials during military vehicle maintenance activities.

To properly assess the presence of contaminants, we conducted subsurface soil and groundwater sampling, followed by laboratory analysis for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-VOCs (SVOCs), Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs), PCBs, RCRA Metals, pesticides, and herbicides. Prior to the investigation, we developed a project-specific work plan, a quality control plan, and a health and safety plan to ensure the success of the project.

Our field activities included utility clearance, underground storage tank investigations through minimally invasive air knifing, soil coring, screening, and sampling, followed by laboratory analysis. We evaluated the analytical data in accordance with state soil and groundwater cleanup standards and prepared a comprehensive report detailing our findings.

Our team was responsible for the management of the Fence to Fence Environmental Services (F2F) program for JBSA. We developed a comprehensive work plan that included a health and safety plan, a sampling and analysis plan, and a quality control plan to efficiently manage the AFB’s hazardous material and hazardous waste management system, as well as the water and wastewater compliance program which included drinking water supply, wastewater, stormwater, and surface water discharges. We also ensured the AFB complied with federal and state air emissions regulations and permitting requirements.

As a Large Quantity hazardous waste generator with over 200 different waste streams, the AFB was required to comply with strict regulations, such as holding a RCRA Part B permit, having 50 satellite accumulation points, a Title V Permit covering three major sources, and NPDES, MS4, and industrial discharge permits.Our team worked tirelessly to ensure that all regulations were met and that the AFB was operating in an environmentally responsible manner.

Our environmental consulting team was proud to provide services to facilitate the revitalization of a former 104-acre property in Beltsville, MD, that had been owned by USDA. The property, consisting of 23 buildings built in 1910, had been used for poultry research and quarantine purposes and was in need of extensive environmental assessment.

Our team conducted a comprehensive environmental site investigation to assess the presence of hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste, including asbestos, RCRA metals, PCBs, and low-level radioactive waste. During the investigation, it was revealed that due to the age of the buildings, asbestos, lead, lead-based paints, mercury, and PCBs were the main concerns and needed to be managed in accordance with environmental regulations.

Following the site characterization, our team completed a comprehensive environmental condition survey of the property to support the transfer process. This survey provided a thorough analysis of the current environmental conditions and potential environmental liabilities associated with the property, helping to ensure a smooth transition for the new owners.

Our environmental consulting services played a crucial role in the revitalization of this former Beltsville property, ensuring that the site was properly assessed and managed in a responsible and sustainable manner.

STARGES, through a subcontract agreement, successfully completed a critical task in support of a seven-mile-long water distribution line realignment project. The task involved conducting a Waters of the U.S. Delineation and Habitat Assessment, as well as coordinating with the Antiquities Code of Texas. This work was crucial in ensuring that the realignment project was carried out in compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines and that any potential impacts on the environment and cultural resources were thoroughly assessed and addressed.

Our team successfully completed a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) for the construction of a bridge over Cypress Creek in Harris County, TX. This plan was designed to comply with the guidelines set forth by the TCEQ and Harris County Engineering Department and adhere to the Texas Water Code and Clean Water Act requirements. The proposed 1,800-foot-long bridge, located east of the Blackhorse Golf Club and west of Houston Hot Wells, TX, will span over the Cypress Creek floodplain and include two 12-foot lanes, a 6-foot sidewalk, a 2-foot median curb, and a combination traffic/pedestrian rail. A portion of the bridge will also lie within the Cypress Creek floodplain defined as wetlands.

The SWP3 considered potential pollutants and sources of pollution associated with the construction project, including soil disturbance, vehicle and equipment maintenance, material storage, and concrete truck washout areas. The plan included best management practices, permanent and temporary stormwater controls, and preventive measures to minimize pollution. Our team also provided clear implementation, maintenance, and inspection forms and outlined the responsibilities of all operators involved in the project. With our detailed and comprehensive plan in place, the construction of this bridge will be executed in an environmentally responsible manner.

The project involved the replacement of approximately 101,000 feet of water line, ranging from 6 to 12 inches in diameter, in the midtown area of Houston. As part of the scope of work, STARGES performed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and a combined geotechnical and limited Phase II ESA in accordance with the ASTM International E1527-13 standard, as modified by the City of Houston Department of Public Works and Engineering, Infrastructure Design Manual Chapter 11.

Phase I ESA: The Phase I ESA included a project alignment reconnaissance; reviewof available federal and state environmental databases; review of available historical aerial photographs, historical city directories, topographic maps, local soil, geology, flood plain information, and other public records; interviews with the present occupants around the project alignment; and our conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential for environmental concerns along the project alignment and the need for further investigation. The purpose of this assessment was to identify the presence or absence of any recognized environmental conditions (RECs) that may pose an environmental risk to the health and well-being of the construction workers and to determine the need for additional investigation and/or testing of soil and groundwater for waste management purposes. The Phase I ESA scope was completed in four (4) separate reports. Each report covered four (4) to five (5) miles of the alignment. A total of 24 RECs were identified along the project alignment. The RECs included former gasoline stations with leaking petroleum storage tanks and former dry-cleaning and light manufacturing facilities. A limited Phase II ESA was recommended at RECs to determine potential impacts related to the RECs on the soil and groundwater in the areas of the project alignment.

Combined Geotechnical and Phase II ESA: The scope of work included the preparation of a project work plan with a health and safety plan, subsurface utility clearance, permitting, lane closure and traffic control, field mobilization, concrete coring, drilling, sample classification & collection for geotechnical and environmental purposes, laboratory analysis, and report preparation. To optimize the investigation budget, schedule, and resources, a combined geotechnical and environmental investigation was completed for the project. The geotechnical investigation was required to determine the subsurface soil and groundwater conditions present along the project alignment and to guide the water line trench construction activities, including open trench excavation and dewatering.

Based on the RECs, 70 predetermined geotechnical soil boring locations were adjusted to coincide with the environmental sampling locations. The field engineer performed field screenings, soil classification and sample identification of potentially contaminated soils for laboratory analysis, and evaluated soil properties and chemical data for providing recommendations in the report. TCEQ’s Texas Risk Reduction Program regulations were applied for waste characterization and to determine appropriate action for remediation. The geotechnical report recommendations included excavation protection for shallow trenches and minimum and maximum sloping, shoring, and/or bracing for trenches deeper than 5 feet (up to 20 feet below). Depending on the soil and groundwater conditions, excavation bottom support and dewatering were recommended along the project alignment.

Completed Phase II ESA for a construction contractor at a private property located near the Port Arthur Terminal. The project site consists of a port facility that is used as a dry dock and fabrication and machining services facility for commercial vessels located south of Highway 87 along the west bank of the Sabine-Neches Canal in Port Arthur, Texas. The Phase II scope of work was completed in accordance with ASTM E1903-19 standards. It included safety meetings, utility clearance, subsurface drilling, soil classification, field screening, soil sampling for laboratory analysis, temporary monitoring well installation and development, low-flow groundwater sampling, sample handling and shipment, and well plug & abandonment activities.

Prior to field activities, STAR developed a site-specific health and safety plan in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA’s) 29 CFR 1910.132(d) of the General Industry Safety Orders and the OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR 1910.120) to minimize exposure and impacts from potential subsurface contaminants. STAR coordinated with the customer and performed utility clearance by contacting Texas811. The project was completed without any near loss or safety incidents.

STARGES has conducted several comprehensive Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) in accordance with the ASTM International (ASTM) E1527-21 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments and the “all appropriate inquiries'' (AAI) requirement under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) outlined in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 132. The objective of a Phase I ESA was to identify any Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) present or likely to be present on the subject property. Each assessment specifically focused on the presence or likelihood of the presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products under conditions that suggest an existing release, past release, or imminent threat of release.

The assessment also aimed to evaluate the potential risk to the health and well-being of the public and workers on the site. This included an evaluation of the potential exposure pathways, the toxicity of any substances detected, and the likelihood of human exposure. This information was used to determine the need for additional investigation and/or testing to better understand the site’s environmental condition and potential risks.

Example Projects:

• Katy Mills Rice Silos
• Car Wash Facilities
• Former Watercraft Engine Repair and Testing Facility
• 120 Acre Conroe Residential Development
• Commercial Buildings

STARGES conducted a Phase II ESA at an autobody repair shop in Houston. Soil samples were taken from three locations to determine if there are petroleum hydrocarbons present in the soil due to car maintenance and repair activities.